LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Unified School District announced its support for Let's Move! Active Schools (LMAS) at its first annual 5k 'Move It!' Challenge and Health Fair at Dodger Stadium. Let's Move! Active Schools is a comprehensive program that empowers school champions – physical education teachers, classroom teachers, principals, administrators and parents – to create active environments that enable all students to get moving and reach their full potential.

"Los Angeles Unified School District's commitment to Let's Move! Active Schools sends a strong message that physical activity at LA schools is a priority," said Sam Kass, Executive Director of First Lady Michelle Obama'sLet's Move! campaign and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition. "By integrating physical activity into students' lives before, during, and after school, LAUSD is helping young people build the foundation they need to grow up healthy."

Studies show that students who exercise regularly and eat right perform better in school. The 5k 'Move It!' Challenge and Health Fair is just one example of how the District is raising awareness about health and wellness among students, families, teachers and staff. Since adopting a Wellness Policy in 2008, L.A. Unified's Board of Education has passed resolutions to ensure that every child at every school has access to quality, nutritious meals that when possible, are sourced locally with sound environmental practices. The Board has also recently appointed 17 physical education advisors to help promote and implement health and exercise-related programs in the District.

"We are excited to collaborate with Let's Move! Active Schools," said the District's Senior Deputy Superintendent Michelle King. "We are proud to say that hundreds of our schools have already been granted The HealthierUS School Challenge awards and we are pleased that Washington continues to celebrate the various efforts and policies we have implemented to promote health and wellness in the District."

Let's Move! Active Schools supports individual champions at schools to help promote physical activity before, during and after school as well as parent and community involvement. Schools can sign up at www.letsmoveschools.org, to help them build a team, make a plan, and access free resources and tools, including in-person trainings, program materials and activation grants, and direct, personal assistance from certified professionals.